Reversed into parked car (yes Im a fool!). Pay myself or claim? (£800)

KatanaDV20

Quentin wrote: »

They have only let you know the cost of repairs.

You are also liable for all other costs (eg car hire whilst theirs is in for repairs).

If you let your insurer sort it you can reimburse them if cost effective to get your ncd reinstated and the insurer will ensure there is no possible comeback at a later date.

Hmmm this has made me think again about dealing with it on my own. Thanks for this info. I'll sleep on it and make a decision during the coming week.

jonesMUFCforever

KatanaDV20 wrote: »

Hmmm this has made me think again about dealing with it on my own. Thanks for this info. I'll sleep on it and make a decision during the coming week.

How long do you have to inform your insurance company before they will decline your claim (if you decide to claim).

Quentin

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

How long do you have to inform your insurance company before they will decline your claim (if you decide to claim).

The claimant has 6 years to make a claim.

Sgt_Pepper_2

You may find your premium rises whether you claim or not.

KatanaDV20

Thank you all for the advice and thoughts. After a lot of thinking I bit the bullet and filed a claim. RSA were very helpful and understanding on the phone. Said its a very common type of car-bash. I still feel so stupid though.

I told them my neighbors are being really nice about it and wether this process will stress them out and RSA assured me its a very simple case and not to worry.

I have of course taken a hit on my no-claims. It was 9+ years but now its 4

Oh well, that'll teach me.

Moral: Assume theres always something behind you when reversing. Even if you cant see it. Check check check. And then check again. Sure wish I had!

System

KatanaDV20 wrote: »

Moral: Assume theres always something behind you when reversing. Even if you cant see it. Check check check. And then check again. Sure wish I had!

Very true.
At work we were recently caught that way. A motorcyclist had stopped one foot behind the van in a queue of traffic. When we all had to reverse to let a wide vehicle pass, the driver let the automatic reversing warning sound, then moved back slowly.
The biker stayed put and his bike was damaged. We have lost our NCD at a cost of £4000 pa.

Moral: always get out and look before reversing. There might be a moronic biker hiding in the blind spot, or a small child hiding behind the bumper.

jonesMUFCforever

Quentin wrote: »

The claimant has 6 years to make a claim.

I meant that you have to inform your insurance company withing a strict timescale (7 days?) or they would automatically disqualify the claim.:p

Quentin

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

I meant that you have to inform your insurance company withing a strict timescale (7 days?) or they would automatically disqualify the claim.:p

No - the claim will come from the third party, who has the 6 years to put it in. (Which is why you should keep all your insurance details at least 6 years!)

paddedjohn

Clifford_Pope wrote: »

Very true.
At work we were recently caught that way. A motorcyclist had stopped one foot behind the van in a queue of traffic. When we all had to reverse to let a wide vehicle pass, the driver let the automatic reversing warning sound, then moved back slowly.
The biker stayed put and his bike was damaged. We have lost our NCD at a cost of £4000 pa.

Moral: always get out and look before reversing. There might be a moronic biker hiding in the blind spot, or a small child hiding behind the bumper.

Ever tried listening to a reverse alarm whilst sitting on a motorbike and with a helmet stuck on your head? the moron here was the driver of the van in my opinion.;)

Sydo

I've just been told by my insurance company that I HAVE to give them my version of events for a claim that they have just received against me, otherwise they HAVE to pay out. I had been hoping to deal with it directly with the claimant - or at least have the choice - so as to avoid rising premiums. (Reason is that my experience has been that car insurance companies pay out silly amounts without proper checking - e.g. a 2 mph 'collision' when the guy in front slammed his brakes on for no apparent reason and then claimed for whiplash - I told them it was fraud but they merrily paid anyway, and a parking scratch on another car last year they paid out £1000 for which seemed excessive to me)

Anyway, the woman on the 0844 help-line got very shirty when I asked for the claimant's contact details (she refused, data protection) and when I then asked her to tell them to contact me direct if they want to pursue this (I assume they will want to!).

So, do I HAVE to involve my insurance company in this? Or can I ignore them and insist I deal direct with the claimant?

The attitude I got from them made me feel like they are used to bullying people. They may well be right, I just didn't like their attitude, don't trust them and would like to know my rights, if any kind person here has expertise in this.

PS I have now left that 'multi-car' insurance company for a much cheaper one, but they were the relevant insurer at the time.